Exclusive – Button hoping for a rain-soaked win at Silverstone
Jenson Button is hoping for a helping hand from the British weather to win a first grand prix at Silverstone on Sunday.
But he’s warned Red Bull will again be the team to beat - even if it does rain during the race.
The McLaren driver said: “We’re obviously very positive people and hope we can fight for a win. But you only have to look at the previous race [to see] the Red Bulls are very, very strong.
“It is a different style of circuit, we do have upgrades and there are differences in the regulations. They are going to be very difficult to beat but we’re going to do everything we can to get the best out of the car.”
With heavy showers expected over the weekend, Button, who won last month’s Canadian Grand Prix in similar conditions, feels that could be an advantage for both him and team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
“If there are mixed conditions or it’s wet I think it does give us a better opportunity [to win],” he added. “I’m not saying we don’t have an opportunity if it’s dry but it does mix it up a little bit if it’s wet. We both enjoy driving in the wet, we’re both used to it and I can’t wait to get out there.”
The 2009 world champion has yet to win the British Grand Prix, or even make it on to the podium, although he refused to blame bad luck for his lack of success at Silverstone.
“When we’re talking of the circuit we build it up into something that it isn’t. I really enjoy driving around Silverstone, it’s one of those circuits that really makes you smile when you get the high speed sections right.
“No, I haven’t been on the podium and that’s something I want to achieve in my career and win in front of my home crowd. But it’s not anything to do with being at home - it just hasn’t worked out.
"I’ve had some great races here, including my first [at Silverstone], overtaking Michael Schumacher into turn one at the start."
Vodafone, London taxi drivers and the British public get behind Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1™ drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in front of Tower Bridge, London ahead of the 2011 Santander Brtiish Grand Prix.